RUGBY: Hosts made to work hard for fine victory
Newmarket 1st XV 23 Holt 0
NEWMARKET, playing at Scaltback for the first time this year, turned in another workmanlike display to win against a gritty and determined Holt team, who belied their reputation as poor travellers by making the home side work hard for this win.
The victory was made all the sweeter by the news later in the day that Newmarket's nearest rivals for the league title Stowmarket lost unexpectedly at Cantabs and now trail the leaders by four points.
In truth this was a fairly dour game highlighted by two quality moments in the first half which led to the only tries of the match.
The early forward exchanges were even, although the home side did have a clear advantage at the scrummage as the front row of Terenzi, Wilson and Smith went to work on their opposite numbers.
The visitors scrum folded several times and it seemed just a matter of time before the referee's whistle would sound and so it proved but to the surprise of all those watching and certainly most of those playing it was the dominant scrum that was penalised, when the referee whistled for the third time against the home front row it was clear that Newmarket's dominance in this phase was to go unrewarded.
Nonetheless, the home side was having the better of the play, flanker Ali Walker taking a pass near the touchline spotted the smallest of gaps in the defensive line and stepping back inside he lit the afterburners to leave the defenders grasping at thin air, as the cover defence scrambled back.
Newmarket kept the ball alive firstly through Duncan Precious and then Reg Guildford before the attack was halted on the visitors' line, recycling quick ball scrum half Payne quickly moved the ball left and some quick passing saw fullback Pat Tapley enter the line and scorch away to touch down under the posts, skipper Reeves converted to add the extra points.
Shortly afterwards Reeves was successful with a penalty attempt when Holt were penalised for entering the ruck from the side to increase the lead to 10 points and with the clock ticking towards half time it seemed that this would be the score at the interval.
However from quick lineout ball near the halfway line, fly half Liam Cocks placed a delicate chip over the onrushing defenders for full back Tapley to collect at speed.
It just remained for him to side-step his opposite number before accelerating away for his second try of the game. Once more Reeves added the extra points and the lead at half time was a healthy 17 points.
After the interval, the game became much more of an attritional affair as Holt worked extremely hard to stay in the game and while the result never really looked in doubt they continued to take the game to Newmarket whose cause wasn't helped as second row Lee Kupyn was yellow carded for a high tackle.
Despite the reduction in numbers, Newmarket increased their lead when Holt were also penalised for a high tackle in their 22.
This time the referee kept his card in his pocket and the home side had to be content with the extra three points as Reeves slotted the penalty with ease.
Restored to full strength, Newmarket gradually began to exert a measure of control in the forward exchanges and this was rewarded when they were given another kickable penalty which Reeves never looked like missing to make the final score 23-0.
Coach Dave Sayer said: "That's one of the hardest games we've had at Scaltback for some time and our pack had to dig really deep today, but we showed what we can do with quick possession.
"I'm sure next week will be a stern test against The Honourable Artillery Company in the RFU Vase, and we're hoping for a decent crowd."
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Weather for Newmarket
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
